God has purposed and administered all of time
As we have seen, God purposed in Himself before the foundation of the world to save His people. Here we read that God’s purposes stretch farther than that. Not only did God plan our salvation before the foundation of the world, He is currently watching over all things and directing all of time to His desired end. The word translated “dispensation” comes from a Greek word meaning to administer or steward. God has ruled over all time to carry out the completion of His plan. There is coming a time when all He has purposed to take place will be fulfilled.
To gather all things in heaven and on earth
The grand culmination of God’s plan is to gather all things together. This is not just a reference to gathering in all of the elect (Matthew 24:31.) It is in reference to the redemption of all of creation (Romans 8:22-23.) God is going to restore all things. All of creation is heaven and earth will be restored and gathered together.
Into one
All thing are not going to be just brought together; they are going to be gathered into one. All things will be restored and reconciled. The lion will lay down with the lamb (Isaiah 65:25.) Wars will cease. The curse will be lifted and all will be new (Revelation 21:5) This is God’s eternal purpose. His plan far exceeds just taking a few people to heaven when they die. No, God has watched over all of time to fulfill His eternal plan which will culminate in the reconciliation of all things.
In Christ
How will this be accomplished? It will be accomplished in Jesus Christ. All of creation has been made for Him (Colossians 1:16.) All things will be restored because of His life, death, and resurrection. All things will be reconciled because of Him. Because of this all of creation will give glory to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:10-11.)
Application:
Do you believe this? Will you receive this grace? Will you turn to Jesus before the time is accomplished? Will you share the Gospel with a sense of urgency because the time is coming to a close?
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